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Bill will try to improve healthcare
quality Posted 9-7-98 Under legislation proposed by Sen. Bill Frist, MD, R-Tenn., the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research would be transformed into the Agency for Healthcare Quality, with a new focus on the quality of patient care. The bill, part of Senate Republicans’ managed care regulation bill, would promote private and public research into what quality means to patients and clinicians, how it can be measured, and what can be done to improve healthcare outcomes. The proposal also seeks to make it easier to share medical information. "The Achilles’ heel of our otherwise outstanding healthcare system is the time involved in practical application of new scientific discoveries, some of which can take decades to become universally accepted," said Frist, a transplant surgeon. "Putting into practice the volumes of information on improved care will result in significantly better health care at lower cost." The Health Care Quality Enhancement Act, as proposed by Frist, also calls for an annual report on the quality and cost of U.S. health care, support for primary care research, and better access in underserved areas. The revamped agency also would provide technology assessments to private and public entities and share information about assessment methodologies. While congressional Democrats have sought to stonewall Republicans’ overall effort for a patients bill of rights, Frist’s proposal has not generated opposition, said Frist spokesperson Nick Smith. "It seems to be pretty popular because it is such a commonsense approach," he said. Related Site |
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